Review by Kayla Hamilton (@kaylazomboid)
From the home of Nagoya kei to the infamous Nagoya punk scene, this often-forgotten area in Japan has a unique history in heavy music. While it is the country’s fourth biggest city, it is often left off the itineraries of many travellers. Still, if you have any interest in Japanese alternative music, you will recognise some of the names of bands that have come from what is considered Japan’s most “boring” city.
Kuroyume. Deadman. Mucc. Lynch. Spyair. Dexcore. Even Yaosobi. (Just to name a few)
And one band that has achieved real international attention.
Coldrain.
Being real ambassadors of their home city, Coldrain, created a festival that brings both Japanese and international bands (and fans) to the city of Nagoya for a two-day extravaganza. Held every three years, it has become one of the country’s most anticipated “underground” music events. This year, tickets sold out almost instantly, even before the full lineup was announced, so we KNEW we had to go check it out for ourselves.
Before we dive into this review, we have to mention that there was no photography or filming of the artists was allowed. So any images we share are from official avenues or with permission from the artists. We do not own any of the images or footage used of the bands and sourced them (with links) through official sources.
Arriving at Nagoya station on day one to catch the train to the venue, the platform is packed with fans dressed head to toe in Blarfest merchandise or displaying their allegiances to the bands hitting the stage that day. The cold air did nothing to dampen the spirits of everybody as they crammed together in the carriages. The air was drenched in that excited anticipation. As soon as you arrived at the station next to Port Messe, the Blarefest branding was everywhere.
Flags with every band’s logo fluttering the breeze. Posters displaying the artist’s official photos mark the trail to the doors. The line, while long, moved continuously, and before I knew it, my wristband was on, and I was standing in a hall. Since there was a little while to the first band, it was time to check out the sections of the venue.
As the festival was running for two days, there was a designated area for merch with the artists of that day selling. Due to the predicted congestion of fans wanting to get their goods, in true Japan fashion, you had to register in advance with the bands you wanted to purchase from to receive a ticket in a lottery. The number on your ticket (if successful) would dictate what time you were able to visit the booth. What we did find, though, after all the designated times had finished, you were able to go purchase at the end, but it was an interesting way to ensure the lines were not going to be too long. Only issue was if your time overlapped with another band you wanted to see…you had to make a big decision!
Now the Food Hall was one of the best communal spaces of the weekend. Rows and rows of tables were set up, so they made a great place for weary moshers to take a break. Food stalls ranged from yakisoba, chicken and rice, pancakes, curry and just a real spread of delicious, warm treats. Of course, there was alcohol too, and that was pouring for very early on. One of the highlights from the Food Hall was also the Joysound booth, where you could sign up to do your best karaoke performance featuring the artists playing that weekend. The hype was real, and people were performing a lifetime.
Performance spaces were separated into two areas: the mainstage area (the Fire and Water Stages) and the smaller Thunder Stage. Our Blarefest journey started at the Thunder stage with Hokkaido natives Noisemaker. This band has been one of the most recent Japanese acts to tour internationally, most recently joining Coldrain on their EU/UK tour. Like many bands that break out of Japan, there is often a long history behind. Kicking around for almost 20 years, Noisemaker have a strong and loyal following, bringing fans out early and packing out the Thunder Stage. A furious, fun blend of alternative rock, nu-metal and pop-punk, the energy was off the charts from the start. As somebody only familiar with the band by name and reputation, but for the first time experiencing them, it was a brilliant introduction. Ridiculously tight and almost flawless stage show, they were a great choice to open this stage. Of course, the room erupted when Coldrain frontman Masato appeared for his feature on ‘Supernatural’, one of his many guest vocal performances for the weekend.
The next band on the list was post-hardcore mainstays Survive Said The Prophet. Known by many for their anime openings, but those songs just scratch the surface of their incredible discography. Even from the soundcheck, they had the crowd going crazy. Ripping into ‘Found & Lost’, the surfers came out hard and fast. If you have never experienced Japanese crowd surfers, it is a very different style from what you will see in other countries. Instead of locking in and allowing the crowd to ferry the person forward, Japanese crowdsurfers roll and clamour to the front, like they are literally swimming across the sea of people. Due to the sheer volume of surfers, it can almost feel like an endless wave of bodies moving towards the barricade. Security reach in and basically drag them out, like you would a child who was struggling to swim to the edge of a pool. If you are at the front, you will lose hair. If you are further back, you will most likely feel a hand on your shoulder and become a platform for somebody to launch themselves forward.
So for those who don’t like crowdsurfers…stand at the back or far off to the side at shows in Japan, especially festivals.
Anyway, back to Survive Said The Prophet. They are officially listed as a three-piece, but the band hit the stage as a five-piece (which is further explained as due to Masato’s influence). They are one of those bands that come across live so much heavier than they do on recording. I will take a moment to talk personally here, as I believe they are one of the most underrated bands on the planet. Their songwriting is textbook flawless, performance always hitting the mark, and there is just something so charismatic and magical about what they bring to the table. Their set at Blarefest was no exception. Highlights included a performance of the freshly released ‘Speak Of The Devil’, which, of course, featured Masato, the always hard-hitting ‘Mukanjyo’ and ‘Useless’ featuring frontman Yosh Morita’s partner in crime and music, Ryo Kinoshita of KNOSIS. Another personal highlight (also because it gave me a moment of reprieve from the surfers) was ‘Right And Left’. If there is anything to say after this performance, it’s check out this band. You will not regret it.
Now it was time to head out to the main stage area to catch one of the international acts, House Of Protection. The main stage area had even more attractions surrounding it. A Monster Energy Booth (unfortunately, we missed the members of Coldrain shooting t-shirt cannons), a Blarefest special Gacha, a bar with speciality Blarefest themed cocktails and more merchandise. The mission was to get to House Of Protection, and after their performance in Tokyo two days prior (you can read about it here), I was curious to see them on the bigger stage. There is a unique hesitation that I notice amongst a Japanese audience when it comes to seeing bands, particularly from overseas, for the first time. It’s almost waiting for permission to let loose. Which the members of House Of Protection greenlit from the jump. The setlist was almost identical to the Thursday night show, but that didn’t make it any less exciting.
Lead vocalist Stephen Harrison didn’t let the massive barricades stop him from getting into the pit for ‘Learn To Forget’, with the fans forming an extremely tight circle pit around him. Drummer Aric Improta also had his time to shine, surfing the pit on a makeshift platform being held by the passionate punters. While they didn’t quite get the jumping the barricade or surfing during ‘Fuse’ – which I think came down to a language barrier- it was an absolute stellar performance by House Of Protection, and judging from the reception, there surely won’t be a long time between visits for the US act.
On the stage next door, it was time for cult-favourites SiM. If you have never witnessed SiM in Japan, it is a sight to behold. The hold this band has over an audience is a master class in crowd control. Thousands of people two-stepping, jumping and moving in synch is overwhelming, and you cannot help but join in. They started their set with the song that launched their international campaign, ‘The Rumbling’ and despite the buzz around Attack On Titan dying down, that song still hits extremely hard live. They went through their iconic discography, picking out the classics. ‘Baseball Bat’, ‘Do The Dance’…honestly, you cannot beat the vibes SiM bring to a festival environment so if you ever find yourself at a Japanese festival and SiM is on the bill- DO NOT SKIP THEIR SET.
It was then time to head back to the Thunder Stage. Back with another Sapparo band, it was time for Hikage. Now we’ve been following Hikage for a few years, but nothing prepared me for how much their popularity has soared since the last time we saw them a year ago. This crowd was truly WILD. People were not just surfing; they were being thrown over heads. You don’t normally see people being launched to the stage instead of from it, but that was what was happening around. Nowhere felt safe. Gen, the band’s iconic vocalist, was inciting even more chaos, and he was being met back tenfold. It was just a pure expression of energy and sheer excitement- much like Hikage’s music. Nothing felt performative, it is clear the band have inspired a following of people to let loose and have fun…and it was super cool to witness.
So, we had to make a big decision here. As we did not enter this event on a press pass/invite, and this review is being written purely for our own interests in sharing this spectacular event, we dictated this timetable clash with our own interests and not a professional one. Instead of checking out One Ok Rock, we went to KNOSIS. (But let’s be honest, when it comes to the music we cover, KNOSIS are more suited to our publication- so no regrets).
There really was no other band you could put on to close out the Thunder Stage and play at the same time One Ok Rock was playing the main stage. There is a reason they did not announce One Ok Rock was playing until after tickets went onsale. They are truly the biggest Japanese band, inside and outside, of the country.
But KNOSIS followers are DEDICATED. Many will follow KNOSIS/Ryo Kinoshita to the ends of the earth. It is well known in the Japanese scene, so there is a reason they were given the most difficult set of the day. It was extra special as once again, Coldrain guitarist Sugi was on half the guitar duties- giving the set an extra blessing. Learning from the previous experience of being at the front for Survive Said The Prophet, I observed the set from a side barricade. While the room was not completely packed, the energy from those in attendance made up for it. This was a set for the loyal fans. The “TRUE FANS” as Ryo stated throughout the set. Calling back to the Thursday night performance, Ryo introduced himself as Memphis May Fire, eliciting a chuckle from the already rowdy audience. Taking the opportunity to treat the soundcheck as additional performance time (and to perhaps get those in attendance even more unhinged), they hit their cover of ‘Yarushikaneeee’, with Ryo basically flipping off the barricade straight away.
Already feral, KNOSIS kicked off their set officially with ‘GENKNOSIS’, thus kicking off 35 minutes of ferality. Running through all the faves, highlights included Yosh Morita returning the early feature favour with their cover Crazy Nuts ‘Otonoke’. Security had their work cut out for them, as Ryo continuously entered the crowd and honestly, as a Day One KNOSIS fan- it really was a set for those for the real dedicated. Once ‘Fuhai’ hit, Ryo then entered the crowd, and this reviewer could no longer just stand back, joining all the other crazy fans in letting absolutely loose. Closing out with ‘Yakusai’, it was a set that will go down in my personal highlights.
After many hours of pits, beers and fun, it was now time for the headliners, our hosts, Coldrain. It was damn near impossible to get close to the stage, so we decided to camp out near the back. The room was so packed- and for good reason. Opening with ‘Free Fall’, the sonic impact of this set has had this song permanently stuck in my brain since.
There is something to be said about standing in a packed room, headbanging in sync and singing along. Some people find Japanese shows a little rigid, as there is an expectation that you follow in synch, but sometimes that builds connection. Having your arms around strangers as you collectively headbang and sing together, it can feel like you are truly part of something special. Let’s just say this, too. There is a reason this band has the following they do. Coldrain is one of the most impressive live acts I have ever witnessed. Sometimes I don’t know if their recorded material, while phenomenal, truly captures just how heavy they are live. Masato is also such an incredible vocalist, but he is matched by the rest of the band. They are flashy but tight, entertaining but never sacrificing sound quality. I was in awe the entire time watching this spectacle. I’ve also liked Coldrain, but full disclosure, they have never been a regular spin of mine…until now.
The set list included ‘PARADISE (Kill The Silence)’, ‘Adrenaline’, ‘VENA’, ‘FIRE IN THE SKY’, ‘Cut Me’, ‘DIGITOLL’, and ‘VENGEANCE’. To finish off the main set, the band then invited SiM’s MAH back to the stage along with Crossfaith frontman Kenta Koie. Now, full disclosure once again. I believe everybody went crazy at this…but that could have just been the sound of my own screaming. They ripped through ‘F.T.T.T’ and swifly excited the stage.
We knew it was encore time. While many of us suspected what was coming, nothing prepared the room for this encore.
First up, it was ‘Mayday’, and that meant Ryo Kinoshita was back onstage for his infamous feature with the band. This time, I knew it wasn’t just me yelling along.
That was not it. When we shared the setlist directly after the show, the DM’s on Instagram were flooded by those not in attendance with their disbelief.
It’s hard to describe the impact of the final song if you are not familiar with the Japanese music scene, so bear with us.
The screen flashed with what was next:
‘The Revelation’
Featuring: RYO from KNOSIS.
Sure, that was cool, but he was already on the stage, so we were pretty hyped but not knocked off our feet.
AND
TAKA from ONE OK ROCK
Now, let me tell you, I have never experienced in real time an energy shift quite like this.
Have you ever stood there and realised an important moment in history was happening in front of you?
A cultural reset?
Have you ever cheered, screamed at the top of your lungs, felt like you were going to cry, faint and punch somebody at the same time?
That is the feeling that washed over the room.
Honestly, I am surprised the roof did not literally come off the building.
From three different spectrums of the Japanese heavy music scene. The cult followings of all three of these bands, COLDRAIN, ONE OK ROCK and KNOSIS have. The impact they have on underground music in Japan. Words cannot accurately capture what we witnessed.
No phones. Just pure in the moment.
There was no better way to finish off day one of Blarefest, and as the lights went on and everybody shuffled back out into the cold to head back into Nagoya city, there was this feeling of sheer, unadulterated joy that was shared amongst everybody in that room.
If we could bottle that feeling and share it, the world would be a better place.
It was the ultimate way to set the energy up for day two.
noisenvisuals.net 
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